prime minister

American  

noun

1. the principal minister and head of government in parliamentary systems; chief of the cabinet or ministry.

   the British prime minister.

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prime minister British  

noun

1. the head of a parliamentary government

2. the chief minister of a sovereign or a state

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prime minister Cultural  

1. The head of government in many nations. Prime minister is commonly the title of the head of government in a parliamentary system, such as that of Britain or Canada.

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Other Word Forms

• prime ministership noun
• prime ministry noun
• prime-ministerial adjective
• prime-ministership noun

Etymology

Origin of prime minister

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

"Of course, until yesterday the prime minister was claiming that this leadership had brought order to the chaos of illegal subsidies," it said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

"Is Netanyahu real or AI?" an internet headline blared, pointing to a video that supposedly showed the Israeli prime minister with six fingers.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

"This will not be easy" would also serve perfectly well as a description of the political impact of this conflict for the prime minister.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

In that political context, the prime minister has made three big calls, all of them on display at today's press conference.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

I was named after a Rwandan prime minister, Agathe Uwiringiyimana, an influential woman in the history of Rwanda.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana